Lap tray



J. B. SHAW Sept. 3, 1963 LAPTRAY 7 Filed Dec. 12. 1961 INVENTQR.

damn/r5. SHAW BY W Arroeuarm United States Patent Ofiice 3,102,500 Patented Sept. 3, 1963 3,102,500 LAP TRAY Johnny B. Shaw, 4608 Live Oak, Apt. 102, Dallas, Tex. Filed Dec. 12, 1961, Ser. No. 158,762 1 Claim. (Cl. 108-43) This invention relates to a lap tray, and has as its primary object the provision of a foldable tray or the like, particularly for use in cars, in drive-in restaurants, for the convenience of the diner, and the protection of his clothing.

An additional object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which will fit readily over the lap of the diner, and remain in such position to avoid damage from spilled liquids, foods, or the like.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of this character which may be readily rolled when not in use for storage or transportation.

Still other objects reside in the combinations of elements, arrangements of parts, and features of construction, all as will be more fully pointed out hereinafter and disclosed in the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of the lap tray of the instant invention in position to be used.

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the device of FIG. 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged sectional view partially broken away taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 1, parts thereof being broken away.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged detailed sectional view taken substantially along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 as viewed in the direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 5 is an end elevational view of the tray in folded or collapsed position.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawing.

Having reference now to the drawing in detail, the tray of the instant invention is generally indicated at 10, and comprises a sheet 11 of flexible material of generally rectangular configuration and having a weight 12 stitched to the center portion thereof to provide stability, and to form a slight depression in the center of the tray when in use, so that any fluid spilled thereon will flow to the center and be retained until it can be suitably emptied by the removal of the tray.

The sheet 11 of polyethelene is bounded on its sides and ends by a thickened rib or ridge 13. \At each end of the tray there is provided a tubular plastic rod 14, which has along its upper edge a longitudinally extending slot 15, in which the thickened end edge or bead 13 of the tray '11 may be slidably secured for retention in position. Obviously, other methods of securing the tray may be used, such as rolling the polyethelene sheet around the tube 14 and stitching or otherwise securing the same.

Each end of each tubular member 14 is cut away to provide a slot 17 in which seats a lug -18 of a relatively short plastic leg 19, the end of which is capped as by a rubber cap 20. The legs are thus pivotable to a position at right angles to the plane of the tray, and serve to steady the tray on the lap of the user, the tray being of a length sufficient to allow the legs to depend on either side of the users lap and rest on the car seat, or other position in which it is used.

A rivet 21, of aluminum or similar material, pivotally secures the legs 19 to the ends of their associated tubes v14.

When not in use, the legs 19 may be straightened into alignment with the tubes 14, as shown in FIG. 5, and the tray 1 1 rolled thercabout, to provide a relatively compact article for storage purposes.

From the foregoing it will now be seen that there is herein provided an improved lap tray which accomplishes all the objects of this invention, and others, including many advantages of great practical utility and commercial importance.

As many embodiments may be made of this inventive concept, and as many modifications may be made in the embodiment hereinbefore shown and described, it is to be understood that all matter herein is to be interpreted merely as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense.

Iclaim:

A lap tray comprised of a single fluid impervious sheet of polyethelene having a bead about its perimeter, a tube secured to each end of said sheet, each tube having a longitudinal slot therein into which the end bead of the sheet extends for securing said tube to said sheet, a leg pivoted at each end of each tube and extensible into longitudinal alignment with its associated. tube, said sheet being rollable about one of said tubes to facilitate stcgrage when said legs are aligned with their associated tu es,

and a central weight on the underside of said sheet to slightly depress the center of said sheet, to retain fluid spilled thereon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 560,669 Abel May 26, 1896 653,762 Windom -2 July 17, 1900 778,735 Becker Dec. 27, 1904 1,106,901 Stone Aug. 11, 1914 1,185,568 Zeunert May 30, 1916 1,559,665 Beery et al. Nov. 3, 1925 1,924,945 Klotz Aug. 29, 1933 2,198,661 Dubilier Apr. 30, 1940 2,713,529 Herrschaft July 19, 1955 

